Current Oxford/Cambridge students support/chat continued

[Panicmode1]

New thread.....!

I have another question (I’m finding these threads so useful!) can students go and wander round the grounds of other colleges? Dd loves being outdoors (not in a sporty way, just being outside). And some of the college grounds are gorgeous!

At Cambridge I know DD's college grounds are open (and you can walk on the grass!!!). DD has no chapel at her college, no pool, or choir, but they do have their own sports grounds and rowing club. I understand they collaborate with other colleges where they don't have something or where they can be stronger togethger. On plus side college location is short walk to town centre but not tourist hotspot, Some colleges more central are not open due to likelihood of hoardes of tourists overwhelming them.

@GodessOfThunder it was the first question I'd asked on this thread, which I understood to be a supportive place to ask such questions. Why did you feel the need to make such an unnecessary and unkind comment? surely you could have just rolled your eyes and continued scrolling if it bothers you that much that I care about such things?
I'd rather just be able to buy his bed linen in advance so that I can enjoy drop off and avoid stressful trips to Asda.

I might have missed something, sorry, but neither DS nor DD's college provided any bedding. DS's girlfriend was at Trinity who did provide bedding. The car was stuffed with mattress toppers, duvets and pillows.

Mattress toppers as opposed to protectors were a revelation only discovered in time for sixth DC at Oxford. They make an extraordinary difference to basic uni mattresses. But I felt bad about missing the trick for DC1,2,3,4 and 5.

@goodbyestranger being a parent of an only child I will always be in awe of you and your experience through so many DC! Thank you.

Very generous of you PettsWoodParadise and much appreciated, but I now see that I was a reprehensibly slow learner on the child rearing/ mattress topper front. DC8 was in a markedly more advantageous position than all her previous siblings.

Still, can at least now confirm for other parents of freshers that mattress toppers are worth every penny. No better feeling that when a DC WhatsApps to say he feels as though he's sleeping on a cloud :)

@juicy0 Godessofthunder has been doing the rounds of education threads for a few weeks. Best to ignore. They'll get bored and move across to Baby Names soon enough.

@goodbyestranger my D1 was a happy beneficiary of your mattress topper intel. It would never have occurred to me to get one if you hadn't recommended it.

She has needed all bedding for her rooms in college, first year rooms (not let for conferences) and 3rd year rooms (very much let to conferences; they have special bedding, mini kettles and hotel style tea/coffee/biscuit trays - all locked up in the scouts cupboard)

She was told room no. & bed size, other info was in the college handbook, rules on fairy lights and other electricals, eg kettles allowed - but must be on a tray - etc. I got a basic JL mattress topper and mattress protector, an all-in-one duvet (no cover, you just wash the whole thing, dries really quickly, she loved this)pillows, and a throw from home.

I sent her a coffee maker in her first term and that was a huge hit. A small Lavazza Modo Mio which takes eco capsules.(JL)

All you lucky new people: Well done to your clever offspring and I hope they have a great time. DD1 graduated from C in June and is busy packing for a two year Masters in Paris. No sign of a degree classification at the moment.

My advice if this is your first child at uni is to remind them to consider carefully their attitude to drugs. They're also at Oxbridge just like any other university. Your child may also find themselves vulnerable to unwanted sexual attention, just like any other university, so they need the talk about avoiding certain situations.

Mental health can be tough there due to the intense workload: DD1 said it was all easy but there was way too much of it and she was sometimes quite crushed by constant deadlines

If you want them to text you, you have to send cute pet photos

Has it not occurred to you that perhaps we want to be involved ?

It's not about mum or dad needing to help, they can manage it themselves, of course.

I've added buy a cat to my to do list

@CinnCinnamonJellyBeans ah yes. I texted D1 with a "cat of the day" picture (our cat) and she would sometimes reciprocate with a pic of the college cat. (Has own insta...)

@GodessOfThunder I find that they need their Dads too. I have both fond and embarrassing memories of my mother giving me a hand at settling in at Manchester U. 50 years ago. I think we were both relieved when she left for home (in fairness around a couple of thousand miles away ). Ideally, they would be ready for complete independence at 18 but experience suggests otherwise from time to time. At that age tact is helpful and that is what we try for before we sidle off and leave them to it.

Properly joining in now with this thread…..it’s going to be a fun filled 4 years in Oxford of DS!

@Dingbats876 we have just bought DD a MacBook Air which she is very happy with.
with the student discount from Apple she got £100 off and a voucher for £130 for the Apple Store.
she got AirTags and holders with that.

@HereWeGo2023 we ended up doing the same yesterday as O website said either was fine. It was her delayed 18th bday present.

Checking in to benefit from advice in the weeks to come after dd achieved her offer for NatSci!😁Hello everyone!

Welcome @NewSituationNewName
DS is about to start Part III (4th year) Natural Sciences (physical); if you have any NatSci-related questions then ask away.

The reason for this though, is little to do with the need for actual “support”, and everything to do with showing off that a DC is going to Oxbridge.

Even if that was true, why does it matter and why do you care? Stay off the thread if you can't be civil. People with kids at Oxbridge have every reason to be proud. They probably have to keep a lid on it IRL but here they have the space to feel excited. I can't see why you would stamp all over that.

Sorry that last message was to the abrasive GodessOfThunder.

If we are on a thread for parents whose DC are all going to oxbridge then who is there to show off to?

Again, for goddess.

I'm showing off: My kid's a fucking genius. Did it all herself, no tutors, zero private education. Apart from one grade 8, perfect grades. Beat that.